Obesity in middle age increases risk of dementia in later life

Obesity in middle age and future risk of dementia: a 27 year longitudinal population based study BMJ Online First

Obesity in middle age increases the risk of dementia in later life, finds a study published online by the BMJ today.

The study involved 10,276 members of Kaiser Permanente medical care programme in California who underwent detailed health checks from 1964 to 1973 when they were aged 40-45 and who were still members of the health plan in 1994.

In 1994, dementia was diagnosed in 713 (7%) participants. Obese people (body mass index 30 or above) were 74% more likely to have dementia, while overweight people (body mass index 25-29.9) were 35% more likely to have dementia compared with those of normal weight (body mass index 18.6-24.9).

Body mass index predicted dementia more strongly among women. For example, obese women were 200% more likely to have dementia than women of normal weight, while obese men had a non-significant 30% increase in risk.

Both men and women with the highest skinfold measurements had a 60-70% greater risk of dementia compared to those with the lowest measurements.

There were no significant race interactions between body mass index and risk of dementia.

Obesity and overweight in middle age is strongly associated with an increased risk of dementia in old age, regardless of the presence of existing illnesses in mid and late life, say the authors.

Obesity and overweight in middle age is strongly associated with an increased risk of dementia in old age, regardless of the presence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in mid and late life, say the authors.

To date, this is the first study to determine the contribution of mid-life adiposity and skinfold thickness on risk of dementia, they add. If these results can be confirmed elsewhere, perhaps treatment of obesity might reduce the risk of dementia.

Failure to contain the present epidemic of obesity may accentuate the expected age related increase in dementia, they conclude.

Source: Eurekalert & others

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By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on
21 Feb 2009
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